Honda Civic Hatchback review (2005-2011)

Driving
As you'd expect, the Civic Type-S oozes engineering integrity. The six-speed gearbox has a light, accurate shift, while the clutch, brakes and throttle actions are all spot-on. Moreover, as we've said many times before, the 2.2 i-CTDi diesel engine is fantastic. It's free-revving, impressively refined and punchy. Against the clock, the Civic is potent - but it serves up its power in a smooth, commendable way, too. It remains our favourite diesel in this class, though the latest 1.8 petrol engine is a fair alternative. Like all Honda units, it thrives on revs, but is silky-sweet with it, even if it does lack the diesel's compelling torque. As for suspension, Honda's engineers have given the three-door a sportier edge. Spring and damper rates have been altered and the rear track is 20mm wider. The suspension remains supple over all but the worst potholes, and the Type-S is more composed and agile in corners than its key rivals. The steering is light, but the turn-in is positive and there's appreciable feel. It hints at the potential of the Type-R, and is fun to drive. Plus, stability control is standard fit, and the system works unobtrusively.

Marketplace
With its hidden rear door handles and angular shape, the five-door Civic is hardly a shrinking violet, but that hasn't stopped Honda trying to give the three-door even more impact. For starters, it boasts gunmetal-coloured trim around the wheelarches and sills, plus 17-inch alloys. The doors and rear panels are also unique, but overall, thanks to the five-door's adventurous styling, the Type-S isn't as different from its brother as rivals' three-door models are. Nevertheless, the Honda is still the most unique car in the segment. The Type-S is available with either the 1.8-litre i-VTEC petrol engine or 2.2-litre i-CTDi diesel - both offering 138bhp. Standard and GT trims are on offer, and rivals include the Citroen C4 coupe, Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch and, of course, three-door versions of the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf.

Owning
The Civic has substance as well as good looks. By cleverly locating the fuel tank under the front seats, interior space has been maximised. The rear chairs offer excellent legroom, and a flat transmission tunnel means plenty of foot space for the middle seat occupant. The sweeping C-pillars are close to your head, and leave you rather hemmed in, so it's a good job GT models get a panoramic glass room to brighten things up. The rear chairs fold flat in one easy action, while the 485-litre boot capacity is fantastic. There's also an extra 70 litres under the floor, thanks to Honda doing away with the space wheel. This goes to show Honda spent a lot of time thinking about functionality - as well as ensuring the rest of the cabin is as bold as the bodywork. The split-level dash places the important information high up, with secondary data and most of the switchgear lower down. Some testers have found the wheel obscures the speedo, but this aside, the ergonomics are close to flawless, while the driving position is spot-on. Poor rear visibility and blind spots caused by the rakish A-pillars are a problem, but otherwise the Civic cabin is a great place to be, especially as the materials and build quality are class-leading. Retained values are very good too, while the Civic boasts reasonable insurance ratings, decent fuel economy and a five-star Euro NCAP crash test score. Service intervals are shorter than rivals' though, at 12,500 miles.